Kobakhidze: Georgia "follows a peaceful and pragmatic vision"

Georgia's main priority is to become an EU member state. This was stated by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during a speech on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

He noted that "there are certain challenges on this path," but at the same time expressed hope that "with the restoration of peace in the country and the region, integration will be carried out more intensively." Kobakhidze also recalled that about 20% of Georgia's territory is occupied by the Russian Federation, but even under these conditions, his country "follows a peaceful and pragmatic vision."

"We do not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation, but at the same time we are pursuing an intensive economic policy and have a trade partnership. This is also part of our vision," the Prime Minister explained.

Kobakhidze stressed that Georgia has always played a positive role in establishing peace in the South Caucasus and all neighboring countries appreciate this. In addition, Tbilisi has signed a whole package of free trade agreements with approximately 50 countries and regions, including the EU, the CIS, the UAE and China.

Последние новости
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
Human rights
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
16 October 2026

Six people convicted in connection with the events of October 4, 2025, in Tbilisi have been set free following the conclusion of plea agreements with the prosecutor's office. This was reported on October 16 by the television channel TV Pirveli.
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
Ecology
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
16 October 2026

On October 16, a Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity is taking place in Yerevan, organized as part of the preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Participants are discussing how to accelerate the fulfillment of international commitments regarding biodiversity conservation and prompt more decisive action from governments.